There is no shortage of ideas on how you can start a hair salon at home. You can run a fashion boutique downtown and then come home to your own salon and spa. There are certain legal and technical requirements that a business owner must understand first. Here is how you should get started.
Understand the Legalities
Every home business needs liability insurance at the minimum. This protects you and your business’s assets if someone were to injure themselves on your property. A salon can be a dangerous place to be if a salon chair breaks down, a hairdresser accidentally spills chemicals or a spill occurs on the floor. Understand the legal problems that could occur and find a solution to protect the business.
Select a Space
Select the right place for your salon. At home, you may want to run the business in a living room or bedroom. You may want to convert your laundry room into a small salon. It’s not ideal to have people walk into a salon that’s too small. Choose a space realistically based on the number of customers that you plan on having. Have additional space for extra salon chairs in case there is more business than usual. Consider if you want a nice scenery with optional windows or a waiting room with furniture.
Invest in Software
Do not ignore the importance of using business management software. Invest in various tools to track your accounting, inventory management and human resources needs. Even if you have only a few employees and see a dozen customers every week, it’s easier to manage all of their information in a software program than in a binder.
Include Scaling
Leave room for scaling your business if your clientele is larger than you expected. Consider the possibility of extending your salon room or adding a new one. With more customers, you’ll have more money to spend on renovations, as well. Some very successful salon owners add nail spas. Overall, it’s possible to run a luxurious, upscale salon inside of a modest suburban home or apartment.
If you plan to start a home salon, know what it takes to run a home-based business. You need adequate insurance coverage in case of injuries or accidents. You need enough space to use the equipment and maintain the comfort of your customers. If you work in fashion, make sure that your clients benefit from the convenience of your successful home salon.
About the author:
Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her husky, Snowball.